Dewey Destin's Navarre — Restaurant in Navarre

Let me ask you this.... Do you like Gumbo? DEWEY DESTINS GUMBO IS THE BEST GUMBO ON THE COAST! I mean from 110 Different Restaurants Gumbo, ranging from "White Gumbo" to "illegal gumbo"...yes, illegal....because that DID have enough "safrole" to be considered illegal. So I've had it all. P.S. IM ONLY referring here to seafood gumbo, not chicken/sausage. There are 2 main types, cajon & creole. Gumbo with or without Okra (example - z'herbes). At new places, You never know what you're going to get, but gumbo at Dewey Destin's? It's the same each time, consistent, traditional, original. If you want a good original gumbo, you have to choose which one of these three to make not add some of each! It is traditional to use dark roux! **Maybe you can understand how much I actually love gumbo, so living here at the beach, naturally when you vacation as well, you hit a local seafood restaurant and one of the first things you order is a cup or bowl of gumbo!

So.....*Dewey Destin has everybody beat This is not a question in my mind or opinion. Now I do understand everybody's got their own opinions, I can just tell you who rings true to what true gumbo is. Outside of the taste, which to me is 50% that's why I like it, it also is the most traditional to West Africa, which is 25% and the other 25% is for how fresh are the ingredients. If it was a great taste and it was fresh ingredients, but yet it lacked the whole purpose of gumbo and it was nowhere near traditionally done, well then it would be good gumbo but it would be something not real (true) gumbo. I can only (100%) tell you that for me, 50% of how I feel is: Taste - their ingredients are fresh! I can also assure you. Tradition! I can also tell you that that aspect on those two things are something that you must have. ++ A restaurant that doesn't use fresh ingredients should NOT be in business. Its important to stick to tradition. --Original-- is the concept everybody likes. So I believe they stick with the tradition, it's authentic! Best food? Not an "over-priced tourist trap"? Dewey Destin! A chain has overpriced food and undervalued products... Dewey Destin it's not that! This is locally owned and operated by a brother and sister who own it & their values are: Top notch food at a fair price (I've also compared other restaurants prices to prices here. I can tell you confidently, they are along the same lines as other restaurants like this, and lower in price for food that is sea caught) *That did not include deserts I've never met the owners nor do I know them I would however like to meet one of them, to let him know what a good job they're doing here for this city and the community. ++++Where you at owners LOL?????

As you know, seafood spoils quickly, keeping this in mind, and keeping with their own values, theres a regular shipment of items, fresh not frozen, to the store directly, so your order will be the freshest value and the freshest food u will eat while you were here in Destin/Navarre. Youll be able to tell yourself. That's reassurance! The customer? Without you and me, they don't have a restaurant. Owned by brother and sister but their great great grandfather, Leonard Destin founded the city of Destin Florida! They've lived here a long time, since it's conception, since they found the city! So the man that founded this himself, who came over on a boat (3 boats actually) can you imagine what they ate? SEAFOOD! Yep! Back in 1835! You want original? You want authentic? Just go to the place itself. Go eat at the place that founded this entire area! GO TO DEWEY DESTIN! Make sure to grab gumbo!

**When you were finished, write a review here. The reason being, my business either makes it or it doesn't make it based off one thing, your experience and your thoughts. Word of mouth is the biggest thing or business has going for them either positive or negative....

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I have not had better fried shrimp/ oysters. Ever. We were staying in Milton, right off I-10 and, believe me, it is worth the drive to Navarre for a meal at Dewey Destin’s. We were hungry for seafood, which can be hit or miss when you don’t know the area. However, we were reassured we’d made the right choice when a local grandpa waiting in line with his grandson told us that Dewey’s was his “go to” place for seafood. I ordered the Captain’s platter (fried oysters, shrimp, and mahi with a side of fries and hush puppies). My husband ordered the dinner portion (10-12) fried shrimp along with a bowl of “the best you’ll ever eat” gumbo. The gumbo was handed to him steamy hot while we were still at the counter - served with saltines, he grabbed a bottle of Tabasco on the way to the picnic tables out back on the beach. We grabbed our drinks, sat down, and our dinners arrived quickly on metal, cafeteria-style trays. I will be honest and admit that at first sight I was slightly disappointed at the amount food on the trays…BUT, it was just an illusion. In actuality, there was a generous portion of seafood piled on those trays - 6 large fried shrimp, 6 fried oysters, 4 long “sticks” of mahi, and plenty of fries. The mahi was served liked I’d never seen and, surprisingly, I really liked it. It was cut into long strips resembling fish sticks, which were then lightly floured and fried crisp. Delicious! The shrimp and oysters were fried to perfection. In my 68 years, I am being absolutely honest when I say that I have not had better. The cocktail and tartar sauces were spot on. And the gumbo! Oh my, that gumbo! My husband said it was some of the best he’s had, and he’s eaten gumbo from New Orleans to Charleston…he knows gumbo. Our two meals, including a soda, totaled $56 before tip. A little pricey? Not at all. The old adage, “you get what you pay for” certainly rings true in this case. The shrimp were large, succulent, and perfectly fried. The oysters were delicious, absolutely perfectly prepared. (Am I over-using the word “perfectly”? Nope.) It is ever so rare to find a restaurant that serves fresh (not Sysco’s, no offense) seafood that is done well with no room for improvement. I don’t treat myself to fried seafood very often, it is a special treat for me. It will be impossible not to stop at Dewey Destin’s Navarre next time we’re close by... it is now our “go...

This restaurant could be great, as it is, nothing to talk about, but it has awesome potential. If only it was kept clean, especially the men’s bathroom, oh my gosh, I almost vomited. Although I am local and eat there since it has opened, if it had a good Restaurant manager It has the potential of being a sought after attraction for those who come to Florida for fresh fish, or even the locals who enjoy fish. I hate to see a good idea and a good location go downhill, so I hope the owners do something to improve. It only takes Hard work With your heart in it And I know good workers are hard to come by but not impossible. As an update to my review, I have noticed that everything they serve is getting smaller and smaller portions. If they keep cutting the fish, any thinner, you’ll be able to see through it. I just wonder if Mr. Dewey Destin would be happy to eat at his own restaurant? I bet not. If he told me, yes then he must live in a rat hole at home and now he wants to run for public office. Why don’t he perfect what he has before he decides to tell other people how to live. BTW, would it be asking too much to pressure wash the mold ridden filthy picnic tables that people eat off of? 🤷🏼‍♂️ To be fair, even with all of these statements, being true, I have had a handful of decent meals. In the early days, you would almost vomit because the salads came out of a bag that you could smell the mold and taste it when you ordered a fish salad or any kind of salad but it does seem to be better now. Please keep improving. I would love to make it my favorite...